California CTC Foreign Transcript Evaluation
If you completed college or university coursework outside the United States, you may need a foreign transcript evaluation when applying for a California credential, permit, or certificate.
Direct answer
Does the California CTC Require a Foreign Transcript Evaluation?
Yes, if you are using college or university education completed outside the United States to meet a California credential requirement.
The Commission states that foreign transcripts, degrees, and other relevant documents must be evaluated before an applicant applies for a California credential, permit, or certificate. In most cases, the CTC requires a detailed course-by-course evaluation whenever foreign coursework is used to satisfy a credential requirement.
Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit Exception
The principal exception identified by the Commission is the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit, for which a general evaluation may be sufficient.
At a glance
Your California CTC Evaluation
Commission-approved agency
Is Alianza Approved by the California CTC?
Yes. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing includes Alianza Academic Evaluations, formerly Arizona International Credential Evaluators, on its official list of Commission-approved foreign transcript evaluating agencies.
An Alianza evaluation may be used when the CTC requires an evaluation from an approved foreign credential evaluation service.
Official CTC Approved Agency ListRecommended service
Which Evaluation Should I Order?
For most California teacher credential applicants using education completed outside the United States, the appropriate Alianza service is a Course-by-Course Evaluation.
California CTC Course-by-Course Evaluation
Provides the detailed academic analysis generally required when foreign coursework is used to meet California credential requirements.
- U.S. educational equivalency
- Institutions and programs of study
- Individual courses completed
- U.S. semester-credit equivalents
- Grades or achievement
- Relevant teacher-preparation coursework
- Student teaching or supervised preparation when supported by academic records
Foreign-prepared educators
Were You Trained as a Teacher Outside the United States?
California has specific credential pathways for educators who completed teacher preparation in another country. The CTC advises foreign-prepared educators to have their academic records and applicable teaching credentials evaluated by a Commission-approved agency.
If you hold a teaching certificate, license, credential, or other authorization from another country, include it with the documents submitted to Alianza.
Credential-specific information
What Does the CTC Need the Evaluation to Show?
The required information depends on the California credential you are seeking.
Single Subject Teaching Credential
The evaluation generally needs to show:
- Completion of the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree
- Completion of a professional preparation program in secondary education, including student teaching
Education Specialist Instruction Credential
The evaluation generally needs to show:
- Completion of the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree
- A special-education professional preparation program of at least 24 semester units, including supervised field study
Application documents
What Documents Should I Submit?
Your exact requirements depend on the country and institutions you attended. The California CTC states that official documentation is required for foreign transcript evaluations.
After you apply, Alianza will review your submission and tell you if additional documentation is needed.
- Degree or diploma certificates
- Academic transcripts or marksheets
- Records showing courses, grades, and periods of study
- Your foreign teaching credential or certificate, if you hold one
- Teacher preparation, student teaching, practicum, or supervised-teaching documentation when applicable
- Certified English translations when documents are not issued in English
Common application questions
How California Treats Foreign Education and Credentials
Do I Need to Send My Teaching Certificate?
Yes, if you have one. The CTC instructs applicants with an out-of-country credential or certificate to provide a copy to the evaluation agency.
Alianza evaluates academic education and teacher preparation, not the U.S. equivalency or current standing of a professional teaching license.
What if a U.S. College Accepted My Coursework?
You may still need an evaluation. The CTC states that a detailed course-by-course evaluation is required when foreign coursework meets credential requirements even if a U.S. college or university previously accepted it.
Must My Degree Equal a Four-Year U.S. Bachelor’s?
That depends on the credential requirement. When a bachelor’s degree is required, the CTC refers to the equivalent of a four-year or longer college-level program.
Alianza evaluates the educational system, institution, admission requirements, program length and level, and other relevant factors. The CTC makes the final decision.
Can Foreign Coursework Meet Other Requirements?
Potentially. For example, foreign coursework may support certain Basic Skills Requirement options when an approved evaluator determines equivalency to appropriate coursework at a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
The CTC decides whether the education satisfies a specific credential requirement.
Time and cost
California CTC Evaluation Processing
Processing begins only after your file is complete and all required documents have been received and reviewed.
Additional fees may apply for optional services such as rush processing, translations, additional report copies, or special document handling.
Completed report delivery
How Do I Submit My Evaluation to the California CTC?
Submission procedures depend on the credential and application method. For many online applications, applicants may upload the original electronic evaluation file provided by Alianza or a scan of the original official paper evaluation.
At your request, Alianza can also email a copy directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing at no additional charge.
Follow the CTC’s current instructions for your specific application because requirements may vary or change.
Prepared outside the U.S.
California Credentials for Internationally Prepared Educators
The CTC maintains specific pathways for internationally prepared educators. Requirements vary by credential and by the education and professional preparation completed outside the United States.
Multiple Subject
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential pathways for eligible applicants.
Single Subject
Single Subject Teaching Credential pathways, including secondary professional preparation.
Education Specialist
Education Specialist Instruction Credential pathways involving special-education preparation.
Substitute Permits
Including the Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit.
Other Credentials
Other California credentials and permits based on applicable requirements.
Alianza describes international education in U.S. educational terms. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing makes the final licensing and certification determination.
Why Alianza
Why Use Alianza for Your California CTC Evaluation?
CTC Approved
Listed on the Commission’s official list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
AICE-Endorsed Member
Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators.
Teacher-Education Experience
Evaluation of degrees, teacher preparation, professional education, and student teaching.
Clear Requirements
Our team identifies additional documentation needed to complete the evaluation.
Rush Processing
Expedited processing is available after the applicant’s file is complete.
California evaluation answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alianza accepted by the California CTC?
Yes. Alianza Academic Evaluations is listed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as an approved foreign transcript evaluation agency.
Do I need a course-by-course evaluation?
Usually. The CTC requires a detailed course-by-course evaluation whenever foreign coursework is used to meet a credential requirement. The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit is an exception for which a general evaluation may be sufficient.
I already have a credential evaluation. Can I use it?
It must be from an organization accepted by the CTC and contain the information required for the credential you are pursuing.
Should I submit my foreign teaching license?
Yes, if you have one. The CTC specifically instructs foreign-prepared applicants to provide their out-of-country teaching credential to the evaluation agency.
Does Alianza decide whether I qualify for a California teaching credential?
No. Alianza provides the foreign credential evaluation. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing makes the final determination regarding credential eligibility.
Ready to Begin Your California CTC Evaluation?
If you completed your education outside the United States and need a foreign transcript evaluation for California teacher certification, apply online through Alianza.